Ammar Mullins
Chicago's public transportation system is extensive, with eight rapid transit routes and 129 bus routes covering 1,536 miles. The basic bus fare is $2.25, but you can also buy a transfer pass. This will deduct $0.25 from your card when you board another bus. Cash is accepted on buses, but the driver does not provide change. For trains, you need to purchase a Ventra ticket or pass. These can be bought online, by phone, or at Ventra Vending Machines in 'L' stations and retailers. Seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging's Benefit Access Program can ride for free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bus rides free for | Older adults and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access program |
| Bus fare payment methods | Ventra Card, cash (exact change needed), Ventra app, Ventra Tickets |
| Ventra Card cost | $5 (refundable upon registration) |
| Single-ride Ventra Ticket cost | $3 (valid for up to 3 rides within 2 hours of use) |
| Single-ride Ventra Ticket cost at O'Hare | $5 (valid for up to 3 rides within 2 hours of use) |
| 1-day Ventra Pass cost | $5 (valid for unlimited rides for one person for 24 hours from first use) |
| 3-day Ventra Pass cost | $15 (valid for unlimited rides for one person for 72 hours from first use) |
| 7-day Ventra Pass cost | $20 (valid for unlimited rides for one person for 7 days from first use) |
| Basic bus fare | $2.25 |
| Transfer cost | $0.25 |
What You'll Learn
Chicago's public transport system
Chicago, Illinois, is a world transit hub. The city is served by two major airports, numerous highways, elevated/subway local train lines, and city/suburban commuter rail lines. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) manages mass transit in the Chicago metropolitan area and provides transportation services through three subordinate agencies: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace.
The CTA operates the second-largest public transportation system in the United States, with 2,000 buses covering 152 routes and 2,273 route miles, and eight 'L' train lines serving 144-146 stations. The 'L' stands for "elevated" as parts of the train system run above ground, while other parts run in subway tunnels and tubes. The CTA operates 24 hours a day, with 1.6 million rides taken on an average weekday. The basic 'L' or subway fare is $2.50, with free transfers available between all 'L' routes. The basic bus fare is $2.25, with transfers costing an additional $0.25.
Metra is Chicago's commuter railroad, with eleven lines serving over 200 stations across Cook County and the five collar counties. The high-speed Metra rail service connects downtown Chicago to outlying suburbs, with 495 miles of rail servicing 241 stations.
Pace is a primarily suburban bus service that also offers some routes into Chicago, with a weekday daily ridership of over 1 million.
Chicago also offers other transportation options, such as water taxis, Divvy bikes, and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
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The Ventra Card
Chicago has a unified payment system for all its public transport: the Ventra Card. This payment system is used for all buses, subway trains, CTA trains, and Metra Trains.
For tourists visiting Chicago, the Ventra Card is a convenient way to get around the city. The card can be used on the high-speed Metra commuter rail service, which connects the downtown area to the surrounding suburbs, as well as on the "L" train system, which has eight rapid transit routes and 146 stations. The Ventra Card can also be used on the 129 bus routes covering 1,536 miles.
In addition to the standard Ventra Card, there are also Ventra Tickets available for visitors. These are disposable fare options that can be purchased from machines in every station. They are valid for a limited time and cannot be reloaded. Ventra Tickets include single-ride tickets and passes for 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day unlimited rides.
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Free rides for seniors and people with disabilities
Chicago offers free rides for seniors and people with disabilities through the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Ride Free program. This program is available for older adults and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging's Benefit Access Program (BAP).
To be eligible for the RTA Ride Free program, seniors must be Illinois residents aged 65 or older. People with disabilities must also be Illinois residents and enrolled in the BAP as a person with a disability. The income levels for eligibility range from $33,562 or less for an individual, $44,533 for a two-person household, and $55,500 for a household of three or more people.
Once enrolled in the BAP, individuals can apply for the RTA-issued Ride Free permit, which allows them to ride free on fixed-route transit services operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace. The application process involves submitting a valid government-issued photo identification card, verifying age and residency, and providing a wallet-sized color photo. The permit typically arrives within 3-4 weeks.
The RTA Ride Free program is a great initiative that helps older adults and people with disabilities access free transportation in Chicago. It is important to note that there are specific eligibility requirements and an application process to obtain the Ride Free permit.
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The 'L' train
Chicago's "L" train system (short for "elevated") is the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs. It is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States in terms of total route length, at 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014, and the third-busiest rapid transit system in the country after the New York City Subway and the Washington Metro.
The "L" train system is made up of eight rapid transit routes and consists of 146 stations over approximately 224.1 miles of track. The "L" provides 24-hour service on the Red and Blue Lines, making Chicago one of only three cities in the world to offer 24-hour train service on some of their lines. The basic 'L' or subway fare is $2.50, with the exception of O'Hare International Airport on the Blue Line, where passengers entering the station are charged a higher fare of $5.
The "L" has been credited for fostering the growth of Chicago's dense city core, with its eight rapid transit lines laid out in a spoke-hub distribution paradigm focusing transit towards the Loop. The "L" gained its name because large parts of the system run on elevated track. However, portions of the network are also in subway tunnels, at grade level, or in open cuts.
The first "L", the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, began revenue service on June 6, 1892, when a steam locomotive carrying passengers departed the 39th Street station and arrived at the Congress Street Terminal 14 minutes later. Over the next year, service was extended to 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue, then to the Transportation Building of the World's Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park. In 1893, trains began running on the Lake Street Elevated Railroad, and in 1895 on the Metropolitan West Side Elevated, which had lines to Douglas Park, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square.
The "L" train system has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including "The Blues Brothers" (1980), "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986), "Spider-Man 2" (2004), and the Dick Wolf-produced "Chicago" franchise.
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Bus fares
Chicago has an extensive public transportation system, with eight rapid transit routes and 129 bus routes covering 1,536 miles. The basic bus fare is $2.25, and you can pay in cash (exact change only) or with a Ventra Ticket. Ventra Tickets are disposable fare cards that can be purchased from machines in every station. A Single-Ride Ventra Ticket costs $3 and is good for up to three rides within two hours of use. You can also buy a 1-Day Pass ($5), 3-Day Pass ($15), or 7-Day Pass ($20).
Ventra Cards are another option for paying bus fares. These contactless cards can be purchased for $5 and loaded with value online, by phone, or at Ventra Vending Machines in 'L' stations and retailers around town. The cost of the card is returned to you if you register it within 90 days. You can also add the Ventra Card to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
It's important to note that you cannot buy transfers with cash. If you pay in cash and want to transfer to another bus, you will need to pay another fare. Additionally, the bus driver does not provide change. Therefore, it is recommended to have the exact fare ready before boarding.
For seniors aged 65 or older and individuals with disabilities, there is the option to apply for the RTA Ride Free program. This program offers free transit on fixed routes operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace for eligible individuals. The income levels for eligibility range from $33,562 or less for an individual to $55,500 for a household of three or more people.
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Frequently asked questions
The basic bus fare in Chicago is $2.25. You can also buy a transfer for $.25.
You can pay your fare in cash when boarding the bus. You can also use a Ventra Card, which is a contactless card that can be purchased at Ventra Vending Machines in 'L' stations, Ventra Retailers, online, or by phone.
Seniors aged 65 or older who are Illinois residents and enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging's Benefit Access Program are eligible for free transit on fixed routes operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace.
